By Kenna McMurray

Moapa Valley Progress

The MVHS Forensics Team competed in a tournament at Dixie College over the weekend.

The Moapa Valley Forensics team vanquished their opponents at Dixie High School at a tournament held November 17-18.

Moapa came off strong in the speech arts, having more than twenty competitors in various events. For speech events, competitors are separated into rooms against other students competing in that particular event. Then the students perform in front of a judge and the rest of the room.

Moapa competed in three rounds of speech events and dominated in many of the events. In Varsity Expository speaking, junior Kenna McMurray took first overall with her speech on the history of farm equipment. McMurray also placed fourth overall in Varsity Oratory, or persuasive speaking. Sophomore Hailey Nelsen took second place with her speech on the television series Doctor Who. Senior Jacob Allum took fifth place in the same event with his informational speech on the history of communication. Allum also placed third overall in Impromptu, an event where competitors have two minutes to prepare a five minute speech. Freshman Nephi Boren placed fifth overall in Novice Humorous Interpretation.

“The Dixie tournament is always fun because, being out of state, we get to compete against different students and perform in different events,” said team member John Rockenbach.

Moapa returned for the debate portion of the tournament on Saturday. Many of Moapa’s top competitors were absent due to the state football game held on the same day. Despite the odds, Moapa’s students competed at their top level.

Placing second overall in Varsity Senate Congress, senior Tucker Abbott continued his domination in this event.

Kenna McMurray placed first overall in Varsity Lincoln- Douglas debate.

“Moapa did very well considering this is many of our member’s first or second time competing,” said team captain Jacob Allum. “Everyone worked and tried their hardest. It is truly inspiring to see so many students go above and beyond their normal lives and compete at an event that is foreign to them. Not many students are willing to give up their weekend to debate or perform a speech. I am proud of my team for all the work they put in to compete here at Dixie.”